ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Education
Cabinet approves Revised Cost of Estimates  for 13 new Central Universities in the States of Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir , Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, set up under Central Universities Act, 2009
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval forincurring an expenditure of Rs.3639.32 core for the 13 new Central Universitiesfor recurring cost and creation of necessary infrastructure for completion of the campuses. The work will be completed within a period of 36 months.
The Cabinet has also given ex-post facto approval for an amount of Rs.1474.65 crore, being the amount spent over and above the earlier Cabinet approval of Rs.3000 crore for these Central Universities.
The new Central Universities in the States of Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir , Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu were established under Central Universities Act, 2009. These include:
- Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar
- Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh
- Central University of Jammu, Jammu
- Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi
- Central University of Kashmir, Srinagar
- Central University of Karnataka, Gulbarga
- Central University of Kerala, Kasargod
- Central University of Orissa, Koraput
- Central University of Punjab, Bhatinda
- Central University of Rajasthan, Bandersindri, Rajasthan
- Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur
- Central University of Gujarat, Gujarat
- Central University of Himachal Pradesh
Impact:
This would increase access to higher education and set exemplary standards for other Universities to emulate. It will also help in minimizing the regional imbalances in educational facilities.
Election Commission
Biennial Elections to the Council of States to fill the seats of members retiring between June to July 2020-reg.
The term of office of 06 members of the Rajya Sabha elected from following 03 states is due to expireon their retirement in June to July, 2020 as detailed below:
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Sl. No.
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|
State
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No. of seats
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|
Name of Member
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Date of retirement
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-
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Arunachal Pradesh
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|
01
|
|
Sh. MukutMithi
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23.06.2020
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-
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Karnataka
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04
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D. Kupendra Reddy
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25.06.2020
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-
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Prabhakar Kore
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|
-
|
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Rajeev Gowda M.V.
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|
-
|
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B.K. Hari Prasad
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|
-
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
01
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|
Ronald SapaTlau
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|
18.07.2020
A statement showing the details of the above mentioned vacancies is given in ‘Annexure-A’. The Commission after taking into account the guidelines dated 30.05.2020 issued by Union Home Secretary and Chairman, National Executive Committee  under the National Disaster Management Act,has decided that above mentioned biennial elections to the Council of States shall be held in accordance with the following programme:
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Sl.No.
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Events
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Dates
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Issue of Notifications
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02nd June, 2020 
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Last date of making nominations
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09th June, 2020 
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||
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Scrutiny of nominations
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|
10th June, 2020 
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||
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Last date for withdrawal of candidatures
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|
12th June, 2020 
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||
|
Date of Poll
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19th June, 2020 
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||
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Hours of Poll
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|
09:00 am to 04:00 pm
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||
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Counting of Votes
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19th June, 2020  at 05:00 pm
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Date before which election shall be completed
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22th June, 2020 
The Commission has directed that for the purpose of marking preference on the ballot paper only integrated violet colour sketch pen of pre-fixed specification, provided by the Returning Officer, shall be used. No other pen shall, under any circumstances, be used in the above said elections.
Adequate measures for close monitoring of the election process by appointing observers shall be taken to ensure free and fair election.
Commission has also directed the Chief Secretaries concerned to depute a senior officer from the State to ensure that the extant instructions regarding COVID-19 containment measures are complied with while making arrangements for conducting the elections.
Further Commission also appointed Chief Electoral Officers concerned as Observer of the election in the respective states.
Annexure-‘A’
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S.No
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Name of State
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Name of Member
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Date of Retirement
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-
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Arunachal Pradesh
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|
- Sh. Mukut Mithi
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|
23.06.2020
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|
-
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|
Karnataka
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|
- D. Kupendra Reddy
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|
25.06.2020
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|
- Prabhakar Kore
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- Rajeev Gowda M.V.
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- B.K. Hari Prasad
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3.
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Mizoram
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|
- Ronald Sapa Tlau
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|
18.07.2020
President's Secretariat
President of India’s Greetings on the eve of Chhath Pooja
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind in his message on the eve of Chhath Pooja has said:-
“On the auspicious occasion of Chhath Pooja, I convey greetings and best wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and abroad.
Chhath Pooja is a unique festival in which devotees worship sun, rivers, water bodies and extol the virtues of the nature. It begins with rigorous fast and ends with a sacred bath, a ritual which is undertaken by devotees on the belief that it purifies their soul.
Let this Chhath Pooja be an occasion to express our devotion to Sun God, Mother Earth and rivers. May this festival bring happiness to everyone’s life and inspire us to respect the nature more”.
Click here to see President's Message
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Export of Perfume
The Government has undertaken the following key measures for promotion of exports, including for promotion of exports of perfumes:
- A new Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 was launched on 1.4.2015. The Policy, inter-alia, introduced a new scheme namely, Merchandise Exports from India Scheme  for improving exports of goods. Incentive rewards under the MEIS are available for exports of perfumes.
- Interest Equalization Scheme on pre and post shipment rupee export credit was introduced from 1.4.2015, providing interest equalization for labour intensive/MSME sectors, which included the perfume sector.
- A new scheme called “Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme ” was launched with effect from 1.4.2017 to address the export infrastructure gaps in the country. No proposal has been received under TIES so far from the State Government or any agency seeking financial assistance for the manufactureand export of perfumes at Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Hardeep Singh Puriin a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Cabinet
Cabinet Approves changes to Motor Vehicle  Bill 2016: The biggest reform in road transport sector
To be Tabled in Parliament
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the changes to the Motor Vehicles  Bill, 2016. The Bill will be introduced in the Parliament.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
‘Fasal Bima Pathshala’ to be organized across the country under ‘Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Hamari’ campaign
Union Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar will chair the special programme on Fasal Bima Pathshala
Government of India will conduct ‘Fasal Bima Pathshala’ under ‘Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Campaign’ during the period from 25th April to 1st May 2022 as a Jan Bhagidari movement under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar will chair the National level special programme on ‘Fasal Bima Pathshala’ on 27th April 2022. He will connect with farmers in all the Implementing States across the country through specially organized ‘Fasal Bima Pathshala’ coordinated by CSC from 1 lakh locations across the country.
Under sprint campaign from 25th April-1st May 2022, all Implementing Insurance Companies to organize ‘PMFBY- Fasal Bima Pathshala’ at Block/GP/village on all 7 days of campaign period with participation of at least 100 farmers.
The Campaign aims to make the farmers aware about key scheme aspects of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana  like basic scheme provisions, importance of insuring the crops and how to avail scheme benefits etc. in the ongoing Kharif Season 2022 along with facilitating farmers in getting benefit of the PMFBY scheme.
Under this campaign, the broader focus will be on importance of PMFBY/RWBCIS  and how farmers can enrol under the scheme and avail the benefit of the scheme. The detailed information on crop loss intimations during localized calamities and post-harvest losses, tracking of farmers’ application, whom farmers can approach for grievance redressal etc. may be shared and explained in details to farmers for maximum benefit of the scheme.
On this occasion, contact details of district and block level functionaries and offices of implementing Insurance Companies, Toll-Free number, email, or any other mechanism developed by ICs like chatbot, separate App etc will be explained in elaborative manner.
The state-specific programme will continue after national programme, where State Agriculture Minister will interact with farmers from their respective states. One-hour Fasal Bima Pathshala will be conducted at State level in co-ordination with CSC and implementing Insurance Companies. Along with Farmers, Panchayat Raj Representatives , members and State Government field functionaries working at GP level  will also be invited for the state specific programme. Local imminent personalities, progressive farmers, Krishi Vigyan Kendra , Farmer Producer Organizations , Self Help Groups , Village level Organizations  etc will also be invited as special invitees/guests. Dissemination kit to be distributed to participating farmers will be included basic scheme feature and FAQs.
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA PAYS FLORAL TRIBUTES TO SHRI R. VENKATARAMAN ON HIS BIRTH ANNIVERSARY
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, paid floral tributes to Shri R. Venkataraman, former President of India, on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan today . The President and officials of Rashtrapati Bhavan paid respects before a portrait of Shri Venkataraman.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Health Minister and Cabinet Secretary hold review meetings on Novel Coronavirus
Flight Passengers from Thailand and Singapore to be universally screened in addition to those from China and Hong Kong
Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan chaired a review meeting on preparedness for management of Novel Coronavirus with senior officers of the Ministry, here today.
Cabinet Secretary also held a high level review meeting on the preparedness for Novel Coronavirus with Secretaries of Health, Civil Aviation, Textiles, Pharmaceutical, DHR, and Dte. General of Foreign Trade . Cabinet Secretary has held five review meetings so far.
As of today, 52,332 passengers from 326 flights have been screened. Total of 97 symptomatic travellers picked up by the IDSP have been referred to the isolation facilities. 98 samples have been tested of which 97 have been found to be negative. The earlier positive case found in Kerala is being monitored and is stable.
In addition, Secretary  had a video conference to review the process of screening passengers from different countries. Apart from passengers coming from China and Hong Kong, passengers coming on flights from Singapore and Thailand shall also be universally screened at the airports, hence forth.Shri Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary , Health Secretaries from all States for the 21 airports, Airport Public Health Officers from these airports, along with representatives from Bureau of Immigration, Customs Department were present.
The 324 incoming Indian citizens from Wuhan, China have reached today. Of these, 104 are housed at ITBP Chawla Camp and 220 are in Manesar. They are being effectively monitored.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
MSP operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
Paddy procurement for KMS 2020-21 is going on smoothly in the procuring States with purchase of 32,12,439 MTs of paddy upto 09.10.2020 from over 2.83 lac farmers with MSP outflow of Rs. 6065.09 crores
The arrival of Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21 has already commenced and Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes as done in previous seasons.
Paddy procurement for KMS 2020-21 is going on smoothly in the procuring States with purchase of 32,12,439 MTs of paddy upto 09.10.2020 from over 2.83 lac farmers with MSP outflow of Rs. 6065.09 crores.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval accorded for procurement of 30.70 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds for Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the State of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under Price Support Scheme  so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto 09.10.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 459.60 MT of Moong having MSP value of Rs. 3.33 crores benefitting 326 farmers in Tamil Nadu and Haryana. Similarly, 5089 MT of copra having MSP value of Rs. 52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling at or above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Moong and other Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
The procurement of seed cotton  during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 has started from 1st October, 2020 and cumulative procurement as on 9th October, 2020 by Cotton Corporation of India has reached a quantity of 22339 bales under MSP for a value of Rs 6451.73 lakh benefitting 4286 farmers.
Ministry of Finance
More than 1.17 lakh loans of Rs. 26,391 crore sanctioned to SC/ST and woman borrowers under Stand Up India Scheme 
SUPI created employment for more than 6 lakh people
As on 31.07.2021, more than 1.17 lakh loans amounting to more than Rs. 26,391 crore have been sanctioned to SC/ST and woman borrowers under the Stand Up India Scheme , which has created an employment for more than 6 lakh people. This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Giving more details of the loans provided by the Public Sector, Private Sector and Regional Rural Banks under the Stand Up India Scheme as on 31.07.2021 since inception, the Minister stated as under: -
|
|
Lenders
|
|
Number of Accounts
|
|
Sanctioned Amount in Rs. crore
|
|
Public Sector Banks
|
|
1,02,247
|
|
23,062.91
|
|
Private Sector Banks
|
|
12,235
|
|
2,845.41
|
|
Regional Rural Banks
|
|
2,605
|
|
483.56
|
|
Total
|
|
1,17,087
|
|
26,391.88
Source: SIDBI
The Minister stated that the Scheme has helped nurture entrepreneurship amongst marginalised sections of the population such as Scheduled Castes , Scheduled Tribes  and women facing significant hurdles due to lack of advice/mentorship as well as inadequate and delayed credit for setting up greenfield enterprises.
On the evaluation of the scheme, the Minister stated that the Scheme is monitored and its performance is reviewed periodically at various levels such as District Level Consultative Committee , State Level Implementation Committee , State Level Bankers’ Committee , through video conference with banks, etc.
On the impact of the scheme, the Minister stated that an independent impact assessment study was undertaken during FY 2019-20. Based on findings of the study, consultation with stakeholders and pursuant to an announcement made by the Finance Minister in her Budget Speech for F.Y. 2021-22, the margin money requirement for loans under the Scheme has been reduced from ‘upto 25%’ to ‘upto 15%’ and activities allied to agriculture have also been included in the Scheme.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
‘Swachhta Hi Sewa’  Fortnightly Campaign begins
SHS to accelerate efforts towards complete sanitation in rural India
SHS is a massive community mobilization drive for cleaning up of legacy waste and activities for solid waste management at village level
SHS events to culminate on 2nd October, 2022 with the celebration of Swachh Bharat Diwas
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, has started a fortnightly campaign, ‘Swachhta Hi Sewa’  to accelerate the efforts towards complete sanitation in rural India. It is a massive community mobilization drive for cleaning up of legacy waste and activities for solid waste management. As part of this annual campaign, States are requested to organise activities with the objectives of  ensuring community mobilization and participation, a “jan andolan” towards Open Defecation Free Plus villages  disseminating importance of a “sampoorn swachh” village  reinforcing the concept of “Sanitation as everyone’s business” and  commemorating Swachh Bharat Diwas  at the village level. The Campaign has started from today i.e.15th September and will culminate on 2nd October.
The calendar of activities is as following:
- 15th September – 2nd October: Swachhata Hi Seva Activities
- 15th– 17thSeptember: Shramdaan with massive peoples’participation
- 26th September - 28th September: United India for Swachhata in 9 States
- 2nd October – Swachh Bharat Diwas: Gram Sabha meetings for ODF Plus village declarations and other activities; and, Awarding Swachh Survekshan Grameen  2022 winners at National level.
A virtual conference  was also conducted with the States on 9th Sept 2022, under the co-chairmanship of Union Minster of Jal Shakti and Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, in this regard. Herein the Union Ministers urged the participants for 3 dedicated days of concerted efforts,on 15th, 16th and 17th Sept 2022 as ‘shramdaan’ on cleanliness activities particularly cleaning of legacy waste sites and public places.
- The key activities that will be organised in the villages under this campaign include:
- Cleaning of legacy waste sites in the villages
- Construction of waste collection & segregation sheds/centres
- Keeping the areas near water bodies clean and doing tree plantation around them
- Community awareness for segregation of waste  at source
- Purchasing waste collection vehicle like tricycle/E-cart  through GeM
- Door to door collection of non-biodegradable waste like plastics
- Generate awareness about the ill effects of Single Use Plastics  by organizing Gram Sabha meetings and passing resolutions for ban on SUPs'
- promote 4Rsprinciple for Plastic Waste Management – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
- Sarpanch Samvads on ODF Plus elements
- Massive IEC and mass media campaign with wide range of activities as wall paintings, nukkad naataks, swachhata raths, social media material, gram sabhas to educate people through IPC
- Slogan writing/pledge taking for "No Littering"
- Update daily progress of SHS activities at SHS portal
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Sagar Parikrama: A successful journey towards resolving issues of fishers on ground
Union Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala issued directives immediately to concerned agencies for undertaking intense rescue operation of missing fishermen onboard fishing boat operating from Colachel Fishing Harbour
One body recovered through rigorous search and rescue operation by Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard today
Search operations are still ongoing to locate the mortal remains of the second fishermen
A massive fishers and fish farmers outreach program namely Sagar Parikrama Yatra led by Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Parshottam Rupala is being undertaken since March 2022 through a pre-decided sea route from Gujarat to West Bengal covering around 8000 km of India’s coastline. Sagar Parikrama aims to meet the fishers at their door-steps and understand their issues and grievances, promote sustainable fishing and publicise the schemes and programs of the government and it has been instrumental so far. During Sagar Parikrama, fishers get an opportunity to interact with Union Minister Shri Rupala and key officials of Department of Fisheries, Government of India, State Government and other stake holders at their door- step.
Shri Parshottam Rupala received a text message regarding capsized boat from a local fisherman who met him in Colachel during previous phase of Sagar Parikrama. The Union Minister issued directives immediately to concerned agencies for undertaking intense rescue operation of missing fishermen onboard fishing boat operating from Colachel Fishing Harbour.
Meanwhile the family members of missing fishermen met Shri Parshottam Rupala in Karaikal to apprise him the issue and they were surprised to hear that he was not only informed but closely following the matter.
Efforts on rigorous search and rescue operations carried out by Indian Navy as well as by Indian Coast Guard with two Vessels of Indian Navy and One from Indian Coast Guard, mortal remains of one fishermen have been recovered by the divers today.
Search operations are still ongoing to locate the mortal remains of the second fishermen. The family members of fishermen have expressed thanks to the Union Minister and entire rescue team for recovery of bodies of the missing fishermen.
With these endeavours and attempts, the Sagar Parikrama is expected to achieve its goal of achieving open communication and feedback while also build trust between the fishermen communities and proves an instrumental in resolving issues of the fishers.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
217.82 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
14,08,253 doses administered in last 24 hours
India's Active caseload currently stands at 42,358
Active cases stand at 0.10%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.72%
4,255 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to
4,40,04,553
3,230 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
89.41 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 2,74,755 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Govt disbursed over Rs 2,41,000 crore pension to more than 65.74 lakh pensioners including +20.93 lakh family pensioners during 2022-23, says Dr Jitendra Singh
On the basis of the information provided by the Central Pension Accounting Office , Office of Controller General of Defence Accounts , Department of Telecommunications , Railway Board , and Department of Posts , the details regarding the pensioners and family pensioners receiving pension and expenditure involved during the year 2022-23 under the Union Government are given as under:
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|
S.No.
|
|
Department
|
|
No. of Pensioners
|
|
No. of Family Pensioners
|
|
Expenditure for the year 2022-23

|
|
1.
|
|
Civil Pensioner
|
|
780509
|
|
361476
|
|
40,811.28
|
|
2.
|
|
Defence Pensioner
|
|
2331388
|
|
835043
|
|
1,25,269.42
|
|
3.
|
|
Telecom Pensioner
|
|
317992
|
|
120766
|
|
12448.00
|
|
4.
|
|
Railways Pensioner
|
|
856058
|
|
669710
|
|
55,034.00
|
|
5.
|
|
Post Pensioner
|
|
195298
|
|
106467
|
|
8214.85
|
|
Total
|
|
4481245
|
|
2093462
|
|
2,41,777.55
The amount of minimum pension/ family pension under the Central Government is Rupees 9,000 per month.
There is no proposal to increase the amount of minimum pension/ family pension. The pensioners/ family pensioners are entitled to dearness relief, based on changes in prices, from time to time.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.